HOPE

Spring has sprung as the saying goes. The weather in my world has been great in the last few days which made my daily walk along the lake where I live so very pleasant after the cold winter.

            A couple of days ago as I was approaching the walking path, a teacher and a dozen or so young teenage students appeared suddenly. All wearing masks, they sat on the ground under a cluster of large pine trees and the teacher began a lesson. I’m sure the students must have been glad to be outside near a lake instead of inside. The teacher is obviously someone who looks for ways to improve the less-than-perfect situation in which we all find ourselves because of covid. 

            As we still struggle to get pass this deadly disease and look forward to everyone being vaccinated, we know we must continue to be vigilant and listen to the rules, but it doesn’t mean that all is lost. While waiting for a return to normalcy there is still music to be listened to, reading to be enjoyed in sunny backyards or balconies, and love to be shared with our family members on the phone or via video. And there are countless ways to learn new things if we let our imagination soar and discover our hidden talents.

            Despite the restrictions in our lives, one thing that is a constant is Hope with a capital H. It will see us through the remaining dark days, and we must ensure that everyone knows that all is not lost. We only need to find ways to adapt and find ways to turn a less-than-perfect situation into something that will make us discover ourselves.

           

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

Never Too Late

A woman I’ve known for a number of years is retiring later this year. She is not yet 60 years old, but the prospect of retirement is not something she views with apprehension. Rather, she is quite excited about the whole thing. 

          She was a stay-at-home mom for a while after her marriage, and raised three children. When the youngest one was in second grade, she decided to rejoin the workforce, and found a job with a large law firm. She enjoyed her work and was fascinated by the process of law. She’s the only person I know who reads law cases for entertainment! Eventually, she took some introductory law courses in the evening and did quite well.    

         One day, she confided in me that her aim was to get a law degree and become a legal aid lawyer. She wanted to help those who need it most. However, her plans had to be put on hold when she was injured in an accident. As she underwent therapy to regain the use of her legs the study of law fell by the wayside. But she was very proud when she was again able to walk unaided

         She wanted to continue her studies, but found it difficult to do it in the evening, so she set out to define her long-term plan. She decided to retire early and go to university full-time which will give her many years to practice law. She will begin full-time studies in the fall. With the credits and the experience she already has, she expects to graduate in just a couple years.

         Some people say that she’s crazy. That she should retire to enjoy life. She intends to do just that. As she told me, her law degree will make her life most enjoyable. Her husband supports her; he himself plans to write a book when he retires in a few years. I admire them both. They make the most of life. They truly believe that it’s never too late to learn or try something new. The bottom line is that retirement is really a time to do the things we are passionate about.

 

Conflicting Medical Advice

 Medical experts were asked if it is time to ease the COVID lockdowns.  

Allergists were in favour of scratching it, but Dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves.
 
Gastroenterologists had a sort of a gut feeling about it, but Neurologists thought the government had a lot of nerve.
 
Obstetricians felt certain everyone was labouring under a misconception, while Ophthalmologists considered the idea short-sighted.
 
Many Pathologists yelled, "Over my dead body!" while Paediatricians said, "Oh, grow up!"
 
Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, while Radiologists could see right through it.
 
Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing and Pharmacists claimed it would be a bitter pill to swallow.
 
Plastic Surgeons opined that this proposal would "put a whole new face on the matter."
 
Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but Urologists were pissed off by the whole idea.
 
Anaesthetists thought the whole idea was a gas, and Cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no.  

In the end, the Proctologists won out, leaving the entire decision up to assholes.

 

 

 

 

Living Longer

Reading some of the medical opinions being advanced to live longer, it seemed to me to be simple common sense. But, I suppose, it’s a good idea to be reminded from time to time that what we do or don’t do affects the state of our health and quality of life. Not smoking is high on the list, followed by exercising 30 minutes each day, choosing to eat a well balanced diet with at least five servings of fruit and vegetables every day, controlling blood pressure, and learning to relax to decrease stress. All very sensible things, but not the only ones.

If you increase your social networks and reduce stress you may reach a biological age benefit of up to 30 years according to the RealAge science team, while laughing a lot can give your immune system an eight-year boost. Things certainly worth considering especially since such changes can only make life that much more enjoyable.

Telling funny jokes seems to be second nature to some people. They don’t forget jokes and have the ability to keep you in stitches for a long time. I regret that I’m not in that category. I have absolutely no talent for telling jokes. Especially when I try to impress my grandchildren. They simply roll their eyes while saying: Good one, grandma! Well, at least I try. 

I know some people who seem to be afraid to laugh. It’s simply not in their nature. Life is hard and then we die appears to be their motto, no doubt born of some type of depression or anger, or both. These people don’t even seem to have the ability to smile. One woman of my acquaintance is especially notorious for admonishing those who do enjoy a good laugh. To her it’s silly. Personally, I see it as sad because she’s not only missing out on a lot of fun, she’s also punishing her immune system. After all, who wouldn’t want to have the age benefit of laughter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Future

The other day, one of my granddaughters asked me what I thought the world would be like once the pandemic is over. It seems to me that the signs are already starting to appear when it comes to the new post-pandemic normal.

            For one thing people seem to more community minded, to care more for those around them, be they relatives or neighbors, than they used to. People are more conscious that many individuals have lost their income and are struggling in so many ways. That’s the reason people who are in a position to do so have been generous in supporting all sorts of agencies and volunteering to help to those who need it. People are also checking regularly on those around them to offer assistance. I believe that this caring will continue because the pandemic has taught us that we must rely on each other if we are to survive.

 Right now, loneliness is a major side effect of covid as people have been isolating at home and working remotely and, as a result, are cut off from regular outside relationships. One fellow who has been working at home for almost a year told me recently that he not only misses his coworkers, but that he also misses his connection with those he saw everyday--from those on the commuter train to the young woman who prepared his coffee every morning. “They are not friends by any means,” he said, “but I still miss not seeing them, not interacting with them.” In the future new normal, I believe we’ll be much more aware of all those who make our lives more pleasant in many small ways.

And I believe that will include our realization that we should deal with people in our neighborhoods instead of going afar when it comes to purchases and services. Small businesses have been very impacted by covid and we should make a point of helping them get back on their feet.

            Another result of the pandemic is that people are realizing that there is more to life than material things. I believe that the new post-pandemic normal will be simpler and more geared to the important things in our lives. We realize how much we missed being with family and friends so will cherish them more.   

One thing is clear, first and foremost we have to take care of our world and of those around us because we’re all in this together.

           

 

Test your Brain

Sharing an email I received recently.

 

Count every "F" in the following text:  

 

 FINISHED FILES ARE THE RE
SULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTI
FIC STUDY COMBINED WITH
THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS...

 

 HOW MANY 'F's did you count?

 

 Count them again.

 

 

 

 

If you got three you’re normal

four is quite rare

 

You win if you counted six.

 

 Taking Care

Hope is in the air these days as the corona virus seems on its way to being conquered with vaccines. But it’s not the only good news at the moment. The sun is getting warmer so we know that spring is not too far behind.

            In my world, spring is not acknowledged until St. Patrick’s Day has come and gone because until then a snow storm could appear without warning. But as soon as the Irish celebrations are over, spring begins to display its gifts to winter-wearied souls. We’ve been patient throughout the cold months so we feel we deserve to welcome a season of renewal. Even if it’s still a few weeks away, we have no qualms about beginning to plan for it.

            At this time of year, as the snow is slowly melting, I always find it interesting to see the things that have been lost along the way over the winter. I sometime see a lone mitt or glove or a scarf as a matter of course, but this year masks are a new element that I come across regularly on my daily walk. Have these masks been lost or simply thrown away, I wonder. I hope they were not simply thrown away on the sidewalk instead of being discarded the way they should have been.

            But then again, many people still see no harm in discarding things anywhere instead of making an effort to keep our world clean. As I pulled into a parking spot at my local mall yesterday I was somewhat puzzled to see that two take-away coffee cups had been left on the yellow line separating two parking spots. Obviously the person who left the cups there could not be bothered to walk a short distance to dispose of them properly in the available bins near all the doors to the mall. Or take them home and discard them there. I suppose that person felt someone else should do what he or she should have done.

            When things are discarded any which way they’re often picked up by the wind and blown away. It’s no wonder that our rivers, lakes and oceans are full of garbage that threatens fish. I feel strongly that if we don’t care about our environment today, our children and grandchildren will have to pay the price.